Here’s a map of where you can find me this year at San Diego Comic-Con. For those who come back every year, it’s my “normal” location. Sharing my booth this year will be Blackwatch Comics (artist Christopher Shy and writer Michael Easton) so please be sure to check out their goth fantasy SOUL STEALER: The Collector’s Edition and NORTH END OF THE WORLDbooks as well.

DAVE DORMAN #SDCC BOOTH #4500

DAVE DORMAN #SDCC 2012 SIGNING SCHEDULE:

Thursday, July 12th, Noon – Booth #2913E– During the “Frak Out” Battlestar Galactica event, I will be in the ANOVOS Booth at the Lucasfilm Pavilion for the unveiling of my first-ever Battlestar Galactica (2004 series) fine art painting. I believe this is happening at noon.

Friday, July 13th, 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Room #8 –I will be on a panel moderated by MTV Geek’s Bradley Hatfield, celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Heavy Metal, the first publisher to print one of my pieces of cover art. Here’s a description:

The panel will give fans a chance to peek behind the curtain for an incredible hour of conversation with Kevin Eastman as he and many of the iconic artists reflect on the history of ground-breaking storytelling as well as letting the audience in on plans for the future. Guests include: Kevin Eastman (Heavy Metal, Co Creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Michael Mendheim (Mutant League Football, Creator of Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Dave Elliott (Sponge Bob, Heavy Metal, Ninja Gaiden), Lorenzo Sperlonga (Heavy Metal, Steampunk Dolls, Poison Apples), Dave Dorman (Heavy Metal, Star Wars, Rolling Thunder), and Joe Pearson (Director of War of the Worlds: Goliath, Epoch Ink Animation).

Okay, that’s everything I know about at the moment. Please feel free to email or comment on Facebook.com/DaveDormanFanPage if there’s anything you need. Any journalists/bloggers/reporters trying to reach me, please contact my publicist Denise@WriteBrainMedia.com or call her at 630.215.5623.

I raise a toast for an entertaining, fun, safe SDCC for everyone this year! Let the games begin!

I’m pleased to announce that ANOVOS, famed for their wonderful costume and gear recreations for Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek, asked me to do their first fine art print, which is also my first-ever Battlestar Galactica art from the newest series (2004-2009). Here is just a pencil study I did of Edward James Olmos/Admiral Adama, to give you a sneak peek at a small portion of the art. Most of your favorite characters will be in this piece – a hangar scene – and I hope that you enjoy the work when we unveil it next Wednesday night at San Diego Comic-Con (heretofore referenced as SDCC).

I Am Doing Three SDCC Exclusives this Year:

As always, I’m in Booth #4500, which is an end cap booth facing the lobby between the two F Doors. We are in that first row that runs parallel with the lobby. Joining us this year is Blackwatch Comics, which is ABC’s General Hospital actor and amazing writer Michael Easton (writer, “The Green Woman” for DC/Vertigo) and artist Christopher Shy of Studio Ronin fame. Their SOUL STEALER: The Collector’s Edition is launching at the show – an award-winning goth fantasy trilogy in a gorgeous Taschen-style book. Be sure to check them out. They are also offering sneak peeks at a cool historical fiction novel called “The North End of the World” about one of my favorite photographers, Edward S. Curtis, who documented all of the Native American Indians’ customs and images in photography.

I will have a new limited edition Sketchbook of my pencil illustration art for sale, limited to 250 copies, signed by me. I started this tradition last year and sold out, so I realized this was a worthwhile thing to do and affordable for the fans at just $10 per book.

My first-ever father-son collaboration on a Kaiju (Japanese Monster) toy for Max Toy Company will preview at SDCC (just the art, not the finished pieces) for founder Mark Nagata, a rock star in his own right when it comes to toys.

I will be joining the panel for HEAVY METALon Friday night at 8:30 p.m. in Room #8. As you may have read in my autobiography, my very first published piece of work in my career was a HEAVY METAL cover, so naturally, I want to help them celebrate their 35th anniversary. This is my 30th anniversary in the business this year.

I will be happy to sign my Crimson Empire and Darth MaulDark Horse Comicscovers for anyone who would like an autograph. Autographs are ALWAYS FREE. I will be doing a signing in their booth, so check out their website for the dates/times.

Okay, I think that’s everything for now. If you’re a blogger, reporter or journalist wanting to connect with me at the show, please set up your schedule with my PR firm WriteBrain Media – denise@writebrainmedia.com or call 630.845.4694. If you haven’t already, please “Like” my Facebook Fan Page – I’m very active on there – it’s http://Facebook.com/DaveDormanFanPage. Unfortunately, I’m over my limit for people I can friend on my personal page, so I flit back and forth between the two pages these days.

After StarWars.com posted my new art for the Star Wars Celebration VI Limited Edition fine art print, “Breaking Ground: Imperial Base, Moon of Endor,” many of you had praise and an equal number of you had questions for me, so this blog is addressing your questions about the art. I did this piece to incorporate the elements that I enjoy – the ATST’s, the Ewoks, the Biker Scouts, who are the hot rodders of the Imperial Guard – in a scene that has never been, but nonetheless plays out in my own theater of the mind. Note: Please be sure to check out my other artist friends producing prints who are also listed the Celebration VI Gallery at StarWars.com.

Star Wars Celebration VI Art by Dave Dorman, Unfinished.

Before moving ahead, I just wanted to clarify that the image I’m showing you here is unfinished. I still have more work to do – a few added elements and tonal changes and color corrections. I will post the actual final version after I return from San Diego Comic-Con.

#1. Why is Darth Vader surrounded by Imperial Guards? First off, this was a compositional decision. I needed to draw your eye’s attention to Vader, and the bold red of the Imperial Guards against the cool earth tones of the rest of the piece ensures that he commands your attention. If he were just sandwiched among Storm Troopers, you wouldn’t readily notice Vader. Secondly, Vader is overseeing the Emperor’s construction of the second Death Star, so the Imperial Guards are ensuring and reporting back that nothing is amiss on the Moon of Endor.

#2. What’s with the ATST’s? The Moon of Endor is a forested planet, so naturally, deforesting needed to be part of the construction for the Base Camp. In my mind’s eye, the ATST’s made perfect sense as the laborers in this scenario, due to their strength and adaptability. After all, the “AT” in ATST does stand for “All Terrain,” so I replaced their heavy gun arraywith claws.

#3. Why the Ewoks? Over the years, I’ve had literally hundreds of fans request that I paint Ewoks, so this piece is my tip of the hat to those fans. Obviously the Ewoks are resisting the intrusion from the Empire, so they are creating chaos and getting arrested in this scene.

#3. What is the cost of the print? Like many of you, I have been hit hard by this horrendous economy, so rather than the typical $100 cost for my previous Celebration limited edition prints, this year I have lowered the cost to $80. I wanted to ensure that you have money to spend on other items at SWCVI as well. I’m a fan, too, and I know I would like it if my dollar stretched further.

#4. How can I pre-order this print? Lucasfilm has changed their contract, so please watch for me to post pre-order information on this blog and my Facebook Fan Page, which is http://facebook.com/DaveDormanFanPage. At this time I’m not prepared to take pre-orders, so please do not email now. However, after I return from San Diego around July 20th, I will make a posting of all of the information needed to preorder this print. As stated previously, the edition is limited to 250 copies, so those who have purchased prints from me before and would like a matching number, I will also be able to take that information when ordering begins.

I will be posting a separate blog about my San Diego Comic-Con news, probably tomorrow, so stay tuned. I apologize for the radio silence, but I’ve been slammed with deadlines. I’ve been posting the work I’m doing on my Facebook Fan Page, so you’re probably aware that I just did a Pathfinder cover for Dynamic Forces and I’m doing the Darth Maul covers for Dark Horse Comics. Probably the biggest surprise is my first-ever limited edition Battlestar Galactica (2004 series) fine art print that we’ll be unveiling at San Diego Comic-Con with ANOVOS. I also have a Kaiju Japanese Monster design to unveil there – my first-ever collaboration with my son Jack for Max Toy Company and Mark Nagata. It’s been a busy but fun and creatively rewarding summer so far!

I have added a lot of public appearances to my schedule, so I will go over those in my next blog as well. For those of you near Northern Illinois, I will be appearing at Comic Book Mania – a small but growing convention at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, Illinois this coming Saturday, July 7th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Joining me will be my artist friends Doug Klauba and Cory Carani, among many other talents appearing there.

“Dean and I have kicked around some collaborative ideas over the years, but this one feels right to me,” said Dorman. “I am thrilled that someone of Dave’s caliber is working with me on this creative adventure. I believe Dave’s cover art will excite people enough to meet my Kickstarter goal,” Haglund added. Shock ‘N Awesome currently has $4,257 in contributions with 23 more days remaining to earn the total $7,000 required to produce the graphic novel.

If funding goes according to plan, Haglund hopes to have the graphic novel ready in time for San Diego Comic-Con, and an autograph session at Dorman’s Booth #4500.

Haglund will publish an initial run of 1,000 issues to be distributed through Diamond.

Dean is probably best known for his nine seasons playing Langly, one of the computer geeks known as “The Lone Gunmen” from the hit FOX TV series The X-Files. Today, Dean’s visual art is now collected worldwide. His oil paintings combine an unabashed Graphic Novel sensibility, using classic compositions and images from iconic Americana. Modern allegories and metaphors arise from a heavily researched catalogue of past works using the emotional/ theatrical tableaus with re-stated contemporary themes and cultural touchstones to evoke new meaning. Dean headlines with his unique ONE MAN X-FILES IMPROV COMEDY show at comedy clubs, colleges and comedy festivals around the world, which earned him 4-star reviews from the International Edinburgh Fringe Festival, two years in a row.

About Dave Dorman:

For the past 30 years, Eisner and Inkpot Award-winning artist Dave Dorman’s dynamic, hyper-realism art has boosted toy and comic book sales for those art directors wise enough to hire him. His fan base is worldwide. In 2012 Dorman did the six covers completing the Dark Horse Star Wars “Crimson Empire” series, and is currently creating the covers for the new four-book “Darth Maul” series. His Captain America art also appears in the new Marvel pop-up book Super Heroes vs. Villains: An Explosive Pop-Up of Rivalries slated for a July 2012 release. His autobiography, “Rolling Thunder: The Art of Dave Dorman”(IDW Publishing/Desperado Publishing) is available on Amazon.com and his 2-part instructional series on pencil and oil illustration is available via The Gnomon Workshop. This year, Dave Dorman will be exhibiting this year at Spectrum, San Diego Comic-Con Booth #4500 and Star Wars Celebration 6. His one-man art show, “Pi ala Mode” just completed its April run Chicago’s Rotofugi art gallery.

Since StarWars.com has posted the news and I’m no longer under a gag order, I’m pleased to announce that yes, I am doing the Darth Maul covers for the new Dark Horse series Tom Taylor is writing. He’s a great writer, so you’re sure to be entertained, and as you can see, I’m having a total blast painting these covers! This picture was taken at Acme Designthis past Saturday by my friend Thomas James Spanos (a 501st Midwest Garrison member who poses a lot for my Star Wars art):

Me with my new Darth Maul cover for Dark Horse Comics - series written by Tom Taylor.

We are in the final couple of days for bidding on “THE DAVE DORMAN EXPERIENCE” so if you’re in town for C2E2, please bid on #TheDaveDormanExperience if you would enjoy:

Taking a limo from McCormick Place to my private residence & studio on Saturday, April 14th at 4 p.m. and hanging w/me until 10 p.m.

Joining me for home-cooked meal by my talented friend Chef Julie

Seeing me live demo painting a new piece of art

Having a one-in-six chance of WINNING the painting I create on Saturday night in your presence.

Receiving an artist’s proof of one of my limited edition prints from my private vault.

To my knowledge, this is the first time a comic book artist has ever done such an event, so you’re also making pop culture history by joining in on the fun!

Here are the links to bid on the eBay auction – daylight is burning, so bid today or miss out! http://bit.ly/HuK92P and http://bit.ly/I8ylqm. So far, the winners are coming in from California, Iowa, Texas and Michigan. Join us!

Since many of you are coming into town for C2E2, Rotofugihas graciously offered to host a second “Opening Night” of my Pi Ala Mode one-man gallery show at their gallery in Chicago. I will be there at Rotofugi onFriday, April 13th from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. if you would like a personalized tour of my one-man show. It’s about a $25 cab ride from McCormick Place, but you can ALSO shop in Rotofugi – the world’s coolest designer toy store while you’re checking out my gallery show, so that’s an added bonus!

I have a major announcement that I’m personally very excited about for C2E2 with limited edition, Japanese kaiju/monster designer toy company MaxToyCo owner Mark Nagata, so once Denisehas the press release done, I will post it here.

Look for me in Artist’s Alley at C2E2. I will be posting my Table # shortly via Twitter and Facebook. I’m @DaveDorman on Twitter.

It all started this past Thanksgiving. We were with our friends, and my friend’s step-dad was very excited to meet me, have me sign my Rolling Thunder: The Art of Dave Dorman book for him, and then watch me draw the remarque and just generally hang out all day and talk art and pop culture. Our friends Mary and Julie lamented that this was a rare occurrence for a fan to have personal access to me, and that got this whole crazy ball rolling. Before I knew it, my wife, Mary and Julie had a night planned out at my house, with Julie cooking a gourmet meal (she’s great), and the fans getting unprecedented access to my studio, my collections and a chance to see me painting live and in person. That’s how this whole thing developed. So, we’ve worked out the logistics, such as when it should be held (April 14th, during C2E2, altho’ not affiliated with C2E2 in any way), how to get the fans here (by limo) and what we should include. I will do a live painting demo while everyone’s here, and one of the Lucky Six will win the painting. So…here’s the eBay auction under my wife’s account, which will award one seat per week for the next 3 weeks. I will also post an auction under my account, awarding one seat per week for the next 3 weeks. We will end up with what we’re calling the “Lucky 6,” or six fans, who will get an unprecedented backstage pass to my private world and art. If any of the winners are artists, they will also get a portfolio review, critique and all of the advice they could possibly want. Also joining us will be Discovery TV’s host of GEEK LOVE, and founder of Sci-Fi Speed Dating, Ryan Glitch and his lovely fiancee’ and business partner.

I also want to let you know that ROTOFUGI, one of the hottest, hipster galleries in Chicago for the Juxtapoz/Hi-Fructose magazines and designer toy collectors crowd, has invited me to do a one-man show from April 6th – 30th. I am enormously honored. The timing on this is wonderful, because anyone rolling into town for C2E2 April 12 – 14 can easily cab it over to ROTOFUGI for my one-man show. I’ve named the show Pi Ala Mode: A Tentacley Delicious Feast with Delightful Amuse-Bouches. As you might have guessed, there will be plenty of octopi-laden art, along with a backdrop of eclectic pieces, something to delight anyone’s palate and/or palette, from my 30-year career.

I will have more fun news to post in my next blog about some really fun and creatively rewarding upcoming projects. I’m under embargo not to discuss them until the companies I’m working with do their press releases, or I’d love to be telling you already. I hope all of you Star Wars friends reading this have picked up my latest Dark Horse Comics Crimson Empire book (#5 in the series of 6).

Thanks to all who attended the HorrorSociety.com-sponsored horror art show MALEFICIUM last night at Kosart Effects Studios & Gallery in Westmont, IL and hung out with my wife Denise and me. From today through mid December, you can book a viewing by appointment only, so contact J. Anthony Kosar if you want to spend quality time surrounded in rooms full of art by me, Tony Akins, Charlie Athanas Kyle Bice, Brian Busch, Melissa “MissMonster” Curphy, Samantha DeCarlo, Ray Frenden, Aron Gagliardo, Ashton Gallagher, Tom Herzberg, Doug Klauba, Kenn Kooi, J. Anthony Kosar (the Boaris Frankenswine life-sized pig he did is off the hook!) Rich Kryczka, Joseph Larkin, Joe Lester, Darick Maasen, Matthew McCarty, Menton Matthews III, Aaron Miller, Bill Reinhold, Chad Savage, Jason Seiler, Tim Shumate, Ben Templesmith, Jill Thompson and Bill Ystrom. There is SO MUCH gorgeous horror art, horror action figures and sculptures, it’s almost too much to take it all in, but all of the hipsters and cool kids are seeing it, so you should, too. There are prints for sale of the art as well and we hope you take advantage of this limited time opportunity.

My CAT WOMAN erotic girl art is also still up for sale on eBay, auction ending tonight as well – to view that, see my last blog posting or click here to place your bid! http://bit.ly/w09S8L

Today I’ll be painting all day, with the occasional break to see what you’re all up to on Facebook and Twitter, finally carving our pumpkin (we’re thinking an Angry Birds face design), and then watching “WALKING DEAD” tonight on AMC. FYI, I may be switching my personal Facebook account over to a FB Fan Page, which makes no difference to those of you connected to me, but I guess I lose a few pictures or something. No biggie. I have them all saved on my computer. It’s getting to the point where the 20 new friends per day are going to exceed my 5,000 limit for friends and once that happens, I don’t want to be hanging out on two different pages. If you want to connect with me on all of my social networks, here’s my 411: